EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a special residence and work permit that enables companies in Austria to employ highly qualified workers from non-EU countries, provided that there is already a concrete job offer with an above-average salary.

Unlike the Red-White-Red Card, the EU Blue Card does not require a points system.

A key criterion is the salary: As an employer, you must offer the intended employee an annual gross salary of at least EUR 55,678, as of 2026, in order to meet the legal requirements.

The EU Blue Card facilitates the recruitment of highly qualified specialists from third countries and allows them to live and work in Austria.

Requirements for the EU Blue Card

Education

The intended employee must either have completed a university degree of at least three years that is relevant to the offered position, or have at least three years of relevant professional experience as an IT specialist that corresponds to an academic level and was acquired within the last seven years before the application.

Salary

As an employer, you are required to pay a legally defined annual gross salary of at least EUR 55,678, as of 2026.

Employment contract

A binding job offer is required for the EU Blue Card. Once the card has been issued, the employee is initially tied to your company.

Required documents

From the employee

  • Application form
  • Valid passport
  • Passport photo according to EU requirements, not older than six months
  • Criminal record certificate, not older than three months
  • Proof of qualifications, for example:
  • Proof of a completed university degree with a minimum duration of three years that is relevant to the offered position
  • Proof of at least three years of relevant professional experience as an IT specialist, corresponding to an academic level, acquired within the last seven years before the application

Employer documents

  • Employer declaration
  • Information on the collective agreement classification
  • Detailed job description

Depending on the country of origin, it may be necessary to provide several criminal record certificates. The criminal record certificate must have a specific form of verification in order to be accepted. The decisive factor is the country in which the document was issued.

Documents that are not issued in German or English must be translated by a court-certified translator.

Fees for an EU Blue Card

Application fee: EUR 218.00

Important notes

The EU Blue Card is generally valid for two years. However, the actual duration depends on the validity of the employee’s passport. For example, if the passport is only valid for one more year, the EU Blue Card will also only be issued for that period. To receive the maximum validity period of two years, the passport should be valid for a sufficiently long period.

Additional fees may apply if further documents are required or if a Visa D is needed.

With the EU Blue Card, companies have the opportunity to recruit highly qualified specialists internationally and retain them in the long term, provided that the legal requirements are met.